Fast Vortex-Assisted Self-Assembly of Carbon Nanoparticleson an Air–Water Interface.

Inthis work a self-assembly technique is presented, allowing thefast formation of carbon black thin films. It consists in the controlledaddition of a stable carbon material’s dispersion over thewater surface, disturbed by a vortex. The vortex, although not essentialfor the film formation, was found to drastically improve film homogeneity.A physical chemical study concerning how several parameters couldbe used to tune film properties was also conducted. The self-assembledfilms, which can be picked up in any hydrophilic substrate, showeda good electrical conductivity and a high optical transparency. Asan application example, films about 200 nm thick were employed assupercapacitor electrodes. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]